The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-08-12

0p1Dro oAo National Gtvu-scrvorr
- League q Nswpses. =. The
n1esne Ms Hardly cssuae " - u's
R.reneiona-
Nswponr. II. l.. Aug. Ain his annual
address to-day before the National Civil
Errvice Reform League, Geo. wm- Curtis
said:
"In oae Of his speeches. Lincoln said;
with public sentiment nothing can fail;
without public sentiment, nothing can sue
coed. Consequently, he who molds public
sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts
statutes or pronounces decisions To In
nuence this sentiment Is the work Of this
League: and, therefore, II NO would esti-
mats the prospects a reform We
must a. certainly ascertain tho
state Of public sentiment This may
be measured especially IN the discus
sions of the press and in the public
specc hes Until the pension vetoes and
the recent order 20 return the rebel flags,
partisan hostility 10 tho Presidents ad-
ministration expressed itself chiefly in
censure Of its failure 90 conform 70 al. alb
solute standard Of reform. This censure-
the continuous discussion simply--has pro-
found interest in the subject. The divi-
sion in the Administration party springs
from the same question. and Is another
striking illustration Of its hold on the pub
lie mind. Moreover the success Of the
Democrats in the next election depends on
its denomination Of the President who Is
identified in the public mind with the
cause Of reform, and il is equally beyond
question that II the President should re-
nounce the reform principle and should
frankly announce that the general politi-
cal reconstruction Of the civil service,
- \ -. u -. -.
der his administration, is due toa change
Of conviction on his part in favor OF the
spells system, he would be abandoned by
50 large body Of citizens as to bring his
reelection in great peril.
These are the unmistakable signs Of the
rapid growth OF . sentiment Of reform.
Another sign Of this reform II the fact that,
when speaking for partisan purposes, men
Of all parties agree that some safeguards
are necessary against the present political
system No man can doubt the growth Of
this public sentiment. II Is equally unde-
niable that official action does not advance
with equal steps,
After condemning the recently passed
Massachusetts, Law exempting SOL
diers from examination, Mr.. Curtis
mentioned report that Governor Hill had
requested . resignation Of the State Civil
Service Commi ssion. Both Of these events
were referred 70 a. showing the activity Of
politicians against the reform,
Mr.. Curtis then required 20 the National
aspect Of the movement, and said:
1T Is now possible 20 Judge correctly the
course Of the Administration in regard TO
reform, and regret 10 say that during the
two years and over Of its existence while
the reform law has been respected within
its limited range. and while there are en-
couraging signs OF progress, vet. according
20 information which is undoubtedly au-
thentic, there has been . very significant
change in the service. In survey Of the
|. whole situation il appears that there has
been almost Is complete change - was
practicable, since an entirely new force Of
totally inexperienced officers would have
prevented the regular transaction
Of public business A few figures will IL
iustrate: The number Of employees of the
Government contained in the official regis
| ter Is $4,000 or $4,000. OF these, sbou, H.
! 90 are In the classified service Outside
Of the classified service all the minor
places are held a. the pleasure Of certain
superior officers To effect virtual clean
sweep, the change Of the latter class only
II necessary. The number Of chief officers
II about $4,000. or those. apparently
about 5000 or 5000 have been changed,
implying change also in all places de-
pendent upon them. While such change
was the desire and expectation Of a large
part Of the supporters Of the President.
do not believe it Eas desired or anticipated
by the intelligent public sentiment Of the
country. II the demand had been resisted
firmly the reform system would have been
80 strongly intrenched in public approval
that at the end Of . second term Of the Adj
ministration which had established IL, no
succeeding party or President would prob
ably have ventured to disturb IL do not
doubt the strong conviction and honest
purpose Of President Cleveland. Like Gen.
eral Grant he has probably found the force
n 1.-THE spoils tradition overwhelming He has
( undoubtedly believed that answering fidel-
( ity TO reform would disrupt the party allen
ate the majority IN the House, and make Il
(, impossible for him TO serve reform or 10
\ make his administration useful. He has
yielded ~ he thought the public welfare
required, and not in bad faith. He can not
I be accused Of breaking any pledges. His
(. sense of the doubt Of effective accomplish
ment Of reform, 90 long rs the public mind
I was but partially informed on the subject,
prevented him from making absolute prom
(. ises; but we must he Just TO ourselves. as
well as 70 him. Il would be . great wrong
70 the cause which the League represents
I. II IL did not plainly declare that IL does
not regard the Administration as in any
| strict sense CiviI-Service reform admin
! istration. vet under Il much has been gained
\ for reforIn.~
| Mr.. Curtis here analyzed and criticised
some Of the acts Of the Administration, and
especially condemned the disregard ~ re-
form shown at baltimore. He concluded
| ~ saying:
"while In a review Of the year we find
certain reaction in executive and legislat-
i've conduct we can see only steady
progress in public sentiment. That cause
| il always safe which il in sympathy with
great moral forces, and know no cause Of
which this may be more truly said than Of
Ciyil-Service ra6prm.D
No Hope For the Chicago Anarchists.